Only a few weeks ago, an EF5 tornado ripped through
Oklahoma. The 2013 Atlantic hurricane season just began, and forecasts
predict that it will be a very active
season. Whenever events like these may occur, the Department of Commerce is
ready to help communities across the country prepare for and recover from
natural disasters.

The U.S. Economic Development
Administration (EDA) is one of the Commerce bureaus that assist in
disaster-recovery efforts. Just last month, EDA announced grants totaling $54.1
million for disaster relief to 15 communities in 12 states and territories. For
example, EDA announced a $20 million investment that will help redevelop the
20th Street corridor in Joplin,
Missouri, where a devastating tornado in May 2011 claimed 161 lives,
flattened large sections of the city, and destroyed more than 7,000 housing
units.

Some other recently announced recovery projects include:

rebuilding a flood-damaged railroad bridge
across the Judith
River in Montana that provides the sole freight link for numerous farming
communities;

providing communities in New England
that were devastated by Tropical Strom Irene with the means to provide technical
assistance to small businesses and local governments; and

rebuilding public infrastructure in downtown Minot,
North Dakota, an area that was destroyed by flooding of the Mouse River.

These projects are part of a $200 million appropriation made
by Congress to EDA to help with long-term economic recovery and infrastructure
support in communities that received a major disaster designation in fiscal
year 2011.

The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also has a vital role in disaster
recovery efforts. In addition to all the work that NOAA does to help
communities make preparations before disaster strikes by forecasting severe
weather, the agency also has several important roles in the recovery process.
For instance, NOAA response teams scan critical shipping lanes for navigation
hazards and debris, facilitating the delivery of much-needed supplies to
affected regions. Aerial survey teams assess storm damage using
specially-equipped aircraft, capturing birds-eye imagery that help emergency
responders make decisions on how best to take action. NOAA also assists in
long-term recovery planning in areas affected by a hurricane by conducting
economic impact studies and collecting data on the impacts to coastal
communities and ecosystems. Additionally, NOAA’s hazardous material officers
respond to oil and chemical spills along the coasts and assess injuries to
natural resources and critical coastal habitats.

Also, the U.S. Census
Bureau produces timely local data – such as population estimates and
housing characteristics – that are critical to emergency planning, preparedness
and recovery efforts. The Emergency
Preparedness page now provides access to information about tornado-affected
areas in Oklahoma. And the Minority Business
Development Agency (MBDA) Business Centers help connect businesses in
disaster-affected areas with other federal, state, and local resources
available to them.

Through these and other initiatives, the Department of
Commerce is committed to working with other federal, state, and local partners
to help communities affected by disasters rebuild and thrive.